But the wet weather didn't stop the crowds from flocking to 1810 Country Inn and Winery last Friday night for the Swingin' Medallions.

Hundreds of people turned out for the 2006 Beach Blast, which The McDuffie Mirror helped sponsor. As usual, the folks at 1810 proved to be gracious hosts - the food was great and the beer, wine and other beverages were plenty cold. Chief organizer Mike Carrington proved he knows how to throw a party. And the various people who have stopped me and told how much they enjoyed the night - including the very nice and still excited woman in Wal-Mart Monday night - are testaments to the success of the Beach Blast.

Here's hoping next year's event (assuming there will be a 2007 Beach Blast) will be just as good - and have much better weather.

Speaking of local special events, please don't forget about the Miss Camellia Pageant at Thomson High School on June 17. Eleven local young ladies are vying for the title of Miss Camellia and Miss Teen Camellia, and each deserves your support.

Admission is just $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10. There's a stack of awards scheduled to be handed out, including the People's Choice award.

Thomson High School Teacher Jennifer McCall has done a tremendous job in organizing the event, and she has even bigger plans for the pageant in the future. In the next couple of years, she hopes the pageant will become affiliated with the Miss Georgia pageant - giving Miss Camellia a one-way ticket to the state competition.

In what has become one of the bright spots in our community each year, the youth that make up Mission McDuffie hit the streets this week to help those in need.

They raked, painted and did whatever needed to be done to improve and clean-up dilapidated properties across McDuffie County.

And, for a few participants, the week of good deeds is just part of an already-packed summer. For example, Taylor Carrington and a couple of friends spent part of their week working on local homes between jaunts to Athens Y Camp. They got back into town just in time for the Beach Blast and will be heading back to camp in a week or so.

It's that kind of dedication to their community by young people that makes me worry a little less about the future.

On a personal note, I'd like to thank everyone who offered kind words about the flowers that surround my house.

I forwarded the thoughts to my wife, and they certainly helped alleviate her concerns about the butchered bushes that surround my house.

It helps prove that perception is nine-tenths of the battle: Sure the bushes still look bad, but as long as she thinks people can't see the trimmed trees for the flowers, then all is well.